2022 is in the past and as we embark upon a new year, it is also time for us to reflect back at what the previous one had to offer.
The year was especially remarkable for Indian cinema beyond just Hindi films, as we saw several non-Hindi or non-Bollywood films take over the box office and earn acclaim from the masses, like we’d never seen before.
The mass acceptance of artists and films beyond just the popular faces and names of B-town opened and array of opportunities, which resulted in some of the most remarkable cinematic moments of the year.
Looking back, here are the top 8 best films of 2022:
8) Monica, O My Darling
Rajkumar Rao’s Monica, O My Darling was an OTT success and earned high praise from critics upon it’s release. The Vasan Bala directed glamorous crime-drama was a thrilling drama filled with some great performances from it’s promising cast, which included – Radhika Apte, Huma Qureshi and Sikandar Kher.
7) Drishyam 2
Ajay Devgn took the shock and surprise element to even greater level in the suspenseful thriller, serving as the second installment of of Drishyam, which came out in the year 2015. But all credit for it goes to those who penned-down it’s story and screenplay, namely – Jeethu Joseph, Aamil Keeyan Khan and Abhishek Pathak. Joining the original cast – which included Shriya Saran, Tabu and Rajat Kapoor, is Akshay Khanna who plays IG Tarun Ahlawat. With first-class performances, nail-biting climax and a shocking surprise, Drishyam was just as special as it’s original installment.
6) The Kashmir Files
Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial and emotionally stirring film ‘The Kashmir Files’ attempted to tell the stories of various Kashmiri families, who went through the early 90’s exodus in Kashmir Valley. It was the first big-screen account of the series of tragic incidents, and took inspiration from many real-life stories, that were beaded together in a common narrative in the film. Notwithstanding a few false notes, particularly in it’s length and editing, Kashmir Files was the most impactful and hard-hitting film of the year.
5) Matto Ki Saikil
Noted director of films like ‘Gangajal’ and ‘Apaharan’, Prakash Jha turns into an actor for this one – which sees his portraying the titular character, struggling to make ends meet for his labor-class family, as his source of a income – an old rusted bicycle gets accidently rammed over. A heartwarming and emotional look into the lives that aren’t that often projected or showcased in our films, as they should be. We definitely need more stories on the working class of the country, with constitute the majority. They deserve to be seen and heard, and so does Matto Ki Saikil.
4) RK/RKay
A small-budget vastly overlooked production, directed by the gifted Rajat Kapoor, who’s previously given us an era-defining gem like ‘Aankho Dekhi’. The story focuses on the plight of a filmmaker who is curating a new film as a tribute to the cinema of the 60’s, but struggles to put it all together – which is when he is taken by surprise by some unexpected turn of events just when the film hits the editing room. It is a surreal depiction of the manial, artistic vision of Kapoor as a storyteller, that yet again entices you to dwell into the little world he creates.
3) Qala
An artistic look at an era gone by. Qala was a fascinating dive into the golden-era period of Hindi film and music, beautifully recreated by director Anvita Dutt Guptan, who has previously given us a visual stunner – Bulbbul. Chronicling the life and internal struggles of a female playback singer of that time, Qala beautifully captures the era and the internal turmoil of it’s protagonists, with the stunning cinematography of Siddharth Diwan. It also marked the film debut of late Irrfan Khan’s son Babil, who managed to make a mark with his performance.
2) Chhello Show
India’s official entry to the 2023 Oscars, Gujarati-language film Chhello Show also known as – Last Film Show, was all about the love of cinema told through the eyes of it’s adolescent lead character – Samay, played by Bhavin Rabari. From it’s many heart-rendering moments to it’s nearly edge-of-the-seat tensed drama, Chhello Show binds you with it’s story and the characters and eventually makes you fall in love with movies all over again.
1) Kantara
It rarely happens that one of the most well-made films of the year also turns out to be a commercial success, but that was the case in 2022 – as Kantara – starring and directed by Rishab Shetty, was a juggernaut at the Indian box office, while also earning acclaim for it’s performances, visuals and music. The Kannada-language film was the most stunning spectacle of the year, with performances and a climax, that stays with you long after you’ve seen it. It rightfully earns it’s title as the best film of 2022, in more ways than one.
Which was your favorite film of the year?
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